The Great Colorado Staycation: Economic Squeeze Redraws Summer Travel Maps

LITTLETON, CO – June 25, 2026 – Across Colorado, the familiar buzz of summer vacation planning has a new, more cautious tone. The ambitious cross-country flight has been swapped for a scenic drive, the luxury resort for a state park campsite. Summer isn't canceled; it's just being renegotiated against a backdrop of persistent inflation and sky-high prices at the pump.

A new survey from Red Rocks Credit Union confirms this anecdotal shift, painting a data-driven picture of a state forced to get resourceful. The poll of 300 residents, conducted in early June, reveals that 82% of households feel the pinch of rising costs, with a striking 52% reporting a significant financial impact. This pressure is reshaping the very definition of a summer getaway.

The Breaking Point: Gas Prices and Inflationary Pressure

While general cost-of-living increases have strained budgets, one expense stands out as the primary roadblock to travel: gasoline. A staggering 78% of Coloradans surveyed identified gas prices as the top barrier to their summer plans, eclipsing concerns about everyday expenses (65%), dining out (55%), and even hotels (49%) and airfare (48%).

This sentiment is grounded in hard data. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the Consumer Price Index for the Denver-Aurora-Lakewood metropolitan area saw energy prices surge 25.3% over the past year, with gasoline alone skyrocketing by 41.8%. This regional data validates the survey's findings, which were collected just as pump prices hovered near multi-year highs. The pain is particularly acute for Gen X (ages 46-61), with 85% in that demographic citing gas as a major barrier, reflecting the financial strain on households often juggling commutes, kids' activities, and other family responsibilities.

"These numbers match what we hear from members across Arapahoe, Douglas, and Jefferson counties," said Darius Wise, CEO of Red Rocks Credit Union. "Coloradans aren't giving up on summer. They're getting resourceful. They're choosing the mountains over the airport and the campsite over the hotel, making real tradeoffs to do it."

A Summer Redefined: From Canceled Trips to Local Adventures

The financial squeeze is leading to a significant contraction in travel. Nearly three in five residents (59%) expect to travel less than they did last summer, while more than a quarter (27%) are forgoing travel altogether. An additional 17% have already been forced to delay or cancel trips due to cost.

Yet, for those still hitting the road, a distinctly local trend is emerging. The most popular trip this summer, chosen by 30% of respondents, is an overnight stay within Colorado's borders. These local getaways to mountains, state parks, and campgrounds are now more popular than flying elsewhere in the U.S. (23%) and far outpace international travel, which a mere 4% are planning. When budgets tighten, it seems, Coloradans are leaning into the natural beauty of their own backyard.

This shift aligns with national patterns identified by travel associations. The U.S. Travel Association notes a broader consumer move toward shorter, lower-cost trips in regional drive markets as a response to economic headwinds. However, the 'staycation boom' presents a complex picture for Colorado's tourism economy. While day-tripper numbers are up, recent data from the Colorado Tourism Office shows a concerning 2.7% decrease in total hotel revenues through June 2025 and an unexpected slowdown in mountain towns. The pivot to local travel may not fully compensate for the decline in higher-spending overnight and international visitors.

The Widening Divide: How Economic Strain Hits Unevenly

The survey also illuminates a growing chasm between those who can afford a vacation and those who cannot. The financial pressure is not distributed equally. For households earning less than $50,000 a year, 32% are not traveling this summer at all, a figure more than double the 13% of households earning over $100,000 who are staying home. Lower-income Coloradans were also nearly three times as likely to have already canceled a trip due to cost.

This disparity extends across generations. Millennials (ages 30-45) appear to be the hardest-hit, with 35% stating they will not travel this summer. This suggests that younger families, often balancing high housing costs, student debt, and the expenses of raising children, have the least discretionary income for leisure.

"A week at the beach turned into a weekend camping trip," said one Denver-area parent. "It's still a getaway, but the budget dictates everything now."

Community Finance as a First Responder

As residents navigate these economic headwinds, local financial institutions are stepping into a more active support role. Recognizing that broad national statistics don't capture the specific struggles of their communities, organizations like Red Rocks Credit Union are deploying targeted solutions.

"Seeing it in the data is one thing. Doing something about it is the job," Wise stated. He highlighted the credit union's 'Skip-A-Pay' program, which allows members to pause a loan payment during tight periods, as a direct response. The institution is also empowering its frontline staff to intervene when members face acute hardship and is exploring further initiatives, including gas assistance programs.

This hands-on approach reflects a growing trend where community-focused financial cooperatives act as first responders to local economic crises, offering a level of agility and empathy that larger, national institutions may not. As Coloradans continue to adapt to a challenging financial landscape, the support of their local community becomes more critical than ever.

"When your neighbors are squeezed, you find ways to show up for them," Wise concluded.